In Memoriam: Terry Moakley

by James Weisman

Terence J. Moakley (“Terry” to all who knew him), United Spinal and Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association president, employee and board member, passed away on Sept. 5, 2014. He was 69 years old.

Terry graduated from St. John’s with a bachelor’s in English at the height of the Vietnam War. He knew the Army would draft him, so he chose to join the Marines. Terry broke his neck while in the service and was hospitalized for over two years. His time at the Bronx VA Hospital was shared with the legendary Jim Peters (who passed away 12 years ago and after whom the Bronx VA Hospital was renamed), Bobby Muller (who founded Vietnam Veterans of America and shared a Nobel Peace Prize for his anti-landmine work) and Ron Kovic (who wrote “Born on the 4th of July”). Around this time, Terry joined EPVA and people with disabilities everywhere have benefitted from this affiliation.

After becoming quadriplegic, Terry went back to school and obtained a master’s degree in comparative literature from Hofstra University. After a short stint as instructor at SUNY Farmingdale, Terry joined the staff of EPVA.

Terry realized that his disabled veteran status would not improve his chances of getting up an un-ramped curb, boarding an inaccessible bus or entering an inaccessible building. His good nature and warm personality brought disabled Vietnam-era veterans and NYC disability activists together to fight the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Terry, along with Peters and Denise Figueroa, were plaintiffs in EPVA’s landmark litigation, brought in 1979, that resulted in bus and key subway station accessibility, as well as the creation of the Access-A-Ride program. Seventeen years ago, along with Marvin Wasserman and others, Terry founded the Taxis For All Campaign, which, this year, gained access to 50 percent of NYC green and yellow cabs. Terry founded the Association for Transportation Instruction to facilitate ridership and educate transportation providers. He also founded Mobility Through Access in the early 1980s, a coalition of disabled organizations and individuals seeking access to mass transit.

Perhaps Terry’s greatest gift was his ability to communicate in writing and in person. His presence changed the tenor of meetings with elected officials. He was charming, affable, smart, polite and direct. During his career with EPVA, Terry’s advocacy and literary abilities were put to good use when he managed and edited all of our publications.

Terry made himself an expert in barrier-free design. He served on the New York State Building Code Council, drafting the accessibility provisions of the code and Local Law 58, New York City’s barrier-free design law.

I met Terry in 1977 when I was a new Legal Services Corp. lawyer, along with my friend Paul Hearne. I left Legal Services and was working on disability issues in Governor Hugh Carey’s office in the World Trade Center for only a few weeks when Terry witnessed my boss treat me badly because I took the side of people with disabilities and not the State of New York. In the 39th floor men’s room, an hour later, Terry conducted a preliminary job interview, and the next day EPVA’s Executive Director Jim Peters called and offered me a job. I have been with the organization for 35 years. And I have had the privilege and honor of working with this great man all that time.

We moved from Manhattan to Rockland County to raise our children because he did. We have celebrated personal and professional accomplishments together and have been present at the most significant events in each other’s lives. To say that I think of Terry as family does not distinguish me from so many others whose lives Terry has affected.

EPVA/United Spinal (and I) preach the gospel according to Terry Moakley. There are dozens of ex-EPVA employees at every level of government and in business and social service organizations who also preach Terry’s gospel. Terry retired a few years ago and has been writing a memoir. Only a few weeks ago he learned that he had a terminal illness. His memoir is incomplete, as is his work.

‘Wheelchair Challenge’ Offers Students Perspective

United Spinal Association was proud to support a group of University of Central Missouri students who raised campus awareness of the challenges wheelchair users face, whether it’s getting around a college campus or going about their day-to-day activities.

The Wheelchair Challenge was hosted by the Association of Social Work Students, on Sept. 19, at the University of Central Missouri. The event — in its inaugural year — raised funds to support accessibility improvements on campus.

“United Spinal commends the students at UCM for raising awareness about the issues facing wheelchair users, on and off campus. It’s great to see a college community come together to change perspectives on living with a disability and make people stop to think about things they take for granted, like accessibility,” said Joe Gaskins, president and CEO of United Spinal Association.

The event took three teams of three individuals who are not wheelchair users across campus in wheelchairs, where they learned how to maneuver across sidewalks, through buildings, and specially designated areas before concluding the event at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Figuring out how to handle situations such as an elevator outage or a restroom that does not have a wheelchair accessible stall, are some of the challenges teams encountered along the route.

“I want to personally thank United Spinal Association for supporting our event. The wheelchair challenge was a huge success. We have a challenge from the head basketball coach who did our wrap-up presentation to double our event next year. The feedback we received from our participants has been overwhelming. I am going to continue to work with UCM to implement changes and continue to work on accessibility issues,” said Shantelle Rockman, a UCM student, wheelchair user, and member of the ASWS who helped to coordinate the challenge.

“I think the ultimate goal was for the students to gain the perspective of being in a wheelchair and what fellow students who use wheelchairs have to go through – the difficulties, the accessibility issues – hoping they take the experience back to their friends and families and continue to [raise awareness], not only on campus but in their communities,” Rockman added.

Spinal Network Continues to Strengthen Peer Support

United Spinal Association and The Buoniconti Fund continue to work together to bring the very best resources and peer support to people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders.

In 2013, the organizations teamed up to create the Spinal Network to address the need for improved coordination between peer support groups in cities and towns across the country in sharing vital resources and helping people with SCI/D maintain their independence and quality of life.

Since then, the Spinal Network has made great progress in assisting people living with SCI/D who are transitioning from rehab back into their communities.

“Of all the offensive words that make me cringe, wheelchair-bound ranks right up there at the top,” said Diane Epperly, executive director of the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association. “Thanks to Hollister and a Spinal Network grant, the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association was able to host a zip line trip to Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia. One by one, members of the Midlands Breeze Group transferred from their wheelchairs, were hoisted up a 400-foot tower, and went flying through the woods and over a pond. I can assure you that none of them felt bound in any way.”

Support Americans Living with SCI/D on #Giving Tuesday

United Spinal Association is participating in the third annual #GivingTuesday campaign on Dec. 2, 2014.

In the same way that retail stores come together to offer deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday brings the nonprofit community together on a universal platform to raise awareness about the importance of supporting our valuable missions and work.

Your generosity will enable United Spinal Association to offer valuable programs and services to all people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders across the country, including our disabled veterans.

Join in the #GivingTuesday Movement: www.unitedspinal.org/donations/